TWI821599B - Image forming apparatus and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

The cartridge has a photoreceptor drum, a developing roller, a cartridge side gear, a movable member and a restricting part. When the drive transmission member of the image forming apparatus body engages with the cartridge-side gear, the drive transmission member and the cover covering the drive transmission member can be accommodated in the space surrounded by the restricting portion, the movable member, and the cartridge-side gear. way to form a card box. If the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the restricting portion is Ra, then the space downstream of the restricting portion and upstream of the cartridge-side gear includes a region where the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum exceeds Ra. The aforementioned card box is configured as an internal storage cover in this area.

Description

Image forming device and processing cartridge

The present invention relates to a cartridge and an image forming apparatus using the same.

The cartridge here refers to a cartridge that is attachable and detachable to the device body of the image forming apparatus. One example is the processing cartridge. The so-called process cartridge is a cartridge in which a photoreceptor and a process means that act on the photoreceptor are integrated into a cartridge, and is removably mounted on the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

For example, the photoreceptor and at least one of the developing means, the charging means, and the cleaning means as the aforementioned processing means are integrated into a cartridge. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method.

Examples of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses include electrophotographic copy machines, electrophotographic printers (LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), facsimile machines, word processors, and the like.

In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as "image forming apparatus"), the image holding member is generally a drum-type electrophotographic photoreceptor, that is, a photoreceptor drum (electrophotographic photoreceptor). body drum) are equally charged. Next, by selectively exposing the charged photoreceptor drum, an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photoreceptor drum. Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum is developed using toner as a developer to form a toner image. Then, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum is transferred to a recording material such as recording paper or plastic sheet, and heat or pressure is applied to the toner image transferred on the recording material. The toner image is fixed on the recording material, and the image is recorded.

Such an image forming apparatus generally requires toner replenishment or maintenance of various processing means. In order to facilitate the replenishment or maintenance of toner, the photoreceptor drum, charging means, developing means, cleaning means, etc. are collected in the housing and formed into a cartridge, which is used as a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. will be put into practical use.

According to this method of handling the cartridge, the user does not need to rely on service personnel responsible for after-sales service, and the user himself can perform part of the maintenance of the device. Therefore, the operability of the apparatus can be significantly improved, and an image forming apparatus with excellent usability can be provided. Therefore, this process cartridge method can be widely used in image forming apparatuses.

In addition, the above-mentioned image forming apparatus and cartridge are known to be described in Patent Document 1. International Publication No. 2019/117317 discloses a structure in which the inclination angle of a tiltable drive transmission member is controlled by a movable member provided in the process cartridge, and the drive transmission member is connected to the cartridge.

(The problem that the invention aims to solve)

The purpose is to further improve the above-mentioned conventional structure. (Means used to solve problems)

The representative structure disclosed in this case is a cartridge that can be attached and detached from the main body of an image forming apparatus. The main body of the image forming apparatus is equipped with a tiltable drive transmission member and a cover covering the drive transmission member. Its characteristics include: photoreceptor drum; imaging roller; The cartridge-side gear is configured to mesh with a gear portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive transmission member; The movable member is configured to rebound the drive transmission member and move the gear portion provided on the drive transmission member to a position capable of engaging with the cartridge-side gear; and a restriction portion that suppresses tilting of the drive transmission member when the gear portion of the drive transmission member rotates in a state in which the cassette side gear is engaged, When the drive transmission member meshes with the cartridge-side gear, the drive transmission member and the cover are accommodated in a space surrounded by the restricting portion, the movable member, and the cartridge-side gear, If the distance measured from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the restricting portion in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the photoreceptor drum is Ra, then the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum during image formation is downstream of the restriction portion and upstream of the cartridge-side gear, the space includes a region where the distance measured from the axis of the photoreceptor drum in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the photoreceptor drum exceeds Ra, The cover is configured to be accommodated in the area of the space.

The representative structure disclosed in this case is a card box, which has the following characteristics: photoreceptor drum; imaging roller; Gears that are at least partially exposed; a movable member movable with respect to the aforementioned photoreceptor drum; The first frame supporting the aforementioned photoreceptor drum; and The second frame supporting the aforementioned developing roller, The movable member and the gear are arranged on one side of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum, The first frame has a protruding portion protruding toward the outside in the axial direction on one side of the cartridge, In the polar coordinate system of a plane orthogonal to the axis, if the axis of the photoreceptor drum is used as the origin, a line extending from the origin toward the axis of the gear is used as the starting line, and the angular coordinate is Θ, Taking the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum during image formation as the positive direction of the angular coordinate Θ, let the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the tooth top of the gear be R1, and set the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the tooth top of the gear. Assuming that the distance to the axis of the gear is R2, (i) when the movable member is at a predetermined position, a circle with a radius R1 centered on the axis of the photoreceptor drum is formed on one side of the cartridge. The space of the enclosed area is formed to be surrounded by the aforementioned gear, the aforementioned protruding portion, and the aforementioned movable member, (ii) In the polar coordinate system, the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the protruding portion is the shortest distance Ra within the range where the angle coordinate Θ is "190° < Θ < 280°", (iii) The aforementioned shortest distance Ra is consistent with "R1＜Ra＜R2", and (iv) The space includes a region farther downstream than the portion of the protruding portion and upstream than the gear, the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum exceeding Ra.

The representative structure disclosed in this case is a card box, which has the following characteristics: photoreceptor drum; imaging roller; Gears that are at least partially exposed; A movable member that can move with respect to the aforementioned photoreceptor drum; and a frame that supports the aforementioned photoreceptor drum and the aforementioned developing roller, The movable member, the drum coupling device, and the gear are arranged on one side of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum, The frame is provided with a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion protruding in the direction of the axis of the photoreceptor drum on one side of the cartridge, The second protruding portion is disposed downstream of the first protruding portion and upstream of the gear in the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum during image formation, In the radial direction of the photoreceptor drum, the second protruding portion is arranged further away from the axis of the photoreceptor drum than the first protruding portion, In the polar coordinate system of a plane orthogonal to the axis, if the axis of the photoreceptor drum is used as the origin, a line extending from the origin toward the axis of the gear is used as the starting line, and the angular coordinate is Θ, Taking the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum during image formation as the positive direction of the angular coordinate Θ, let the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the tooth top of the gear be R1, and set the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the tooth top of the gear. Assuming that the distance to the axis of the developing roller is R2, in the polar coordinate system, the first protruding portion is arranged inside a region where the angle coordinate Θ is "190°<Θ<280°", And the distance Ra from the axis of the photoreceptor drum satisfies "R1<Ra<R2", When the movable member is located at a predetermined position, a space including a circle with a radius R1 centered on the axis of the photoreceptor drum is formed on one side of the cartridge by the gear and the first projection. It is surrounded by the protruding part, the second protruding part, and the movable member.

The representative structure disclosed in this case is a card box, which has the following characteristics: photoreceptor drum; imaging roller; Gears that are at least partially exposed; A movable member that can move with respect to the aforementioned photoreceptor drum; and a frame that supports the aforementioned photoreceptor drum and the aforementioned developing roller, The movable member, the drum coupling device, and the gear are arranged on one side of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum, In the polar coordinate system of a plane orthogonal to the axis, if the axis of the photoreceptor drum is used as the origin, a line extending from the origin toward the axis of the gear is used as the starting line, and the angular coordinate is Θ, Taking the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum during image formation as the positive direction of the angular coordinate Θ, the shortest distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the tooth top of the gear is R1, and the shortest distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the tooth top of the gear is R1. Assuming that the distance from the axis to the axis of the developing roller is R2, it is constituted as: (i) The frame has a protruding portion protruding in the direction of the axis of the photoreceptor drum within the range where the angle coordinate Θ meets "190° < Θ < 280°", (ii) the frame has an area where the protruding portion is not provided, downstream of the protruding portion and upstream of the gear in the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum, (iii) The distance Ra from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the protruding portion satisfies "R1<Ra<R2", and, (iv) When the movable member is at a predetermined position, a space including a circle with a radius R1 centered on the axis of the photoreceptor drum is formed on one side of the cartridge by the gear, the Surrounded by the protruding part and the aforementioned movable component.

Furthermore, another representative configuration disclosed in this application is an image forming apparatus provided with any of the above-mentioned cartridges. [Effects of the invention]

According to the present invention, the conventional structure can be improved.

<Example 1>

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

In addition, let the direction of the rotation axis of the electrophotographic photoreceptor drum be the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction, the side of the electrophotographic photoreceptor drum that receives the driving force from the image forming apparatus body is the driving side, and the opposite side is the non-driving side.

The overall structure and image forming processing will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2 .

1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus body (electrophotographic image forming apparatus body, image forming apparatus body) A and a process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge B) of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B. FIG.

Here, the device body A refers to a portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus without the cartridge B. ＜Overall structure of image forming apparatus＞

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) shown in FIG. 1 is a laser beam printer using electrophotographic technology in which a cartridge B is detachably attached to the apparatus body A. When the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus body A, an exposure device 3 (laser scanner unit) for forming a latent image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor drum 62 serving as the image holder of the cartridge B is disposed. Furthermore, a thin plate tray 4 for accommodating a recording medium to be image-formed (hereinafter referred to as thin plate material PA) is disposed below the cartridge B. The electrophotographic photoreceptor drum 62 is a photoreceptor (electrophotographic photoreceptor) used for forming electrophotographic images.

Furthermore, in the apparatus body A, a pickup roller 5a, a pair of feed rollers 5b, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a transfer guide 8, a fixing device 9, and Discharge roller pair 10, discharge tray 11, etc. In addition, the fixing device 9 is composed of a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b. ＜Image formation processing＞

Next, the outline of the image forming process will be described. In response to the printing start signal, the electrophotographic photoreceptor drum (hereinafter referred to as the photoreceptor drum 62 or just the drum 62 ) is rotationally driven in the arrow R direction at a predetermined circumferential speed (processing speed).

The charging roller (charging member) 66 to which a bias voltage is applied is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 uniformly.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the drum 62 is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 71 . Furthermore, the cleaning frame 71 supports the charging roller 66 and the cleaning blade 77 .

The exposure device 3 outputs laser light L corresponding to image information. The laser light L passes through the laser opening provided in the cartridge B to scan and expose the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 . Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 , in the developing unit 20 as the developing device, the toner T accommodated in the toner chamber 29 a formed inside the developing frame 29 is moved by magnets. The surface of the developing roller 32 is held by the magnetic force of the roller 34 (fixed magnet). The developing roller 32 is a developer holding body that holds a developer (toner T) on its surface in order to develop the latent image formed on the drum 62 .

The developing roller 32 is rotatably supported by the developing frame, and rotates in the direction of arrow R2 in FIG. 2 during image formation. With this rotation, the toner T attached to the surface of the developing roller 32 is frictionally charged by the developing blade 42 , and the layer thickness of the toner on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 32 is limited to a certain thickness.

The toner T is supplied to the drum 62 according to the electrostatic latent image to develop the latent image. Thereby, the latent image can be visualized as a toner image. The drum 62 is an image holding member that holds a latent image or an image formed of toner (toner image, developer image) on its surface. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with the output timing of the laser light L, the sheet material PA stored in the lower part of the device body A is fed out from the sheet tray 4 by the pickup roller 5 a and the feed roller pair 5 b. Then, the thin plate material PA is conveyed toward the transfer position between the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7 via the transfer guide device 6 . At this transfer position, the toner image is sequentially transferred from the drum 62 to the thin plate PA.

The thin plate material PA on which the toner image is transferred is separated from the drum 62 and transported to the fixing device 9 along the transport guide device 8 . Then, the thin plate PA passes through the nip portion of the heating roller 9 a and the pressure roller 9 b constituting the fixing device 9 . Pressure and heat fixing processing is performed in this nip portion, and the toner image is fixed on the thin plate PA. The thin plate material PA subjected to the fixing process of the toner image is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11 .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 , after the transfer, the residual toner on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 is removed by the cleaning blade 77 , and the drum 62 is used again for the image forming process. The residual toner removed from the drum 62 is stored in the waste toner chamber 71 a formed inside the cleaning frame 71 .

In the above, the charging roller 66 , the developing roller 32 , the transfer roller 7 , and the cleaning blade 77 are processing means that act on the drum 62 .

Among them, the charging roller and the cleaning blade 77 are supported by the cleaning frame 71 together with the photoreceptor drum 62 . In addition, the developing roller 32 is supported by the developing frame 29 . Each member such as the cleaning frame 71 and the photoreceptor drum 62 supported therein is collectively referred to as a cleaning unit 60 . In addition, the developing frame 29 and the developing roller 32 and the developing blade 42 supported therein are collectively referred to as the developing unit 20 . The cartridge B of this embodiment has a cleaning unit 60 and a developing unit 20 connected to the cleaning unit 60 .

One of the cleaning frame 71 and the developing frame 29 may be called a first frame (first housing), and the other may be called a second housing (second housing). In addition, the cleaning frame 71 and the developing frame 29 may be collectively referred to as a cartridge frame (casing). <The opening and closing door of the device body is open>

Next, the installation of the card box is explained in detail.

First, the structure and operation of the opening and closing door 13 of the device body A from the open state to the closed state will be described. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the device body with the opening and closing door open, and FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view of the device body with the opening and closing door closed. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission member in a state where the opening and closing door is closed.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the device body A is provided with an opening and closing door 13 , a cylindrical cam link 85 and a cylindrical cam 86 , and a cartridge pressing member 1 including a pressing spring on the driving side and the non-driving side. ,2. Furthermore, the device body A is provided with a first side plate 15 provided on the driving side and a side plate 16 provided on the non-driving side. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4 , the device body A is provided with a drive transmission member 81 and a bearing 94 of the drive transmission member. A second side plate 93 is provided on the driving side of the device body A, and the bearing 94 is installed on the second side plate 93 .

The opening and closing door 13 is an opening and closing member for opening and closing the mounting portion (a space for accommodating the cartridge) in which the cartridge B is mounted. The opening and closing door 13 is rotatably mounted on the first side plate 15 and the side plate 16 . Then, with the opening and closing door 13 of the device body A opened, the cartridge B is inserted from the cartridge insertion opening 17 .

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the cylindrical cam in a state where the opening and closing door is opened. The cylindrical cam 86 is rotatably and movable in the longitudinal direction of the first side plate 15 and has three inclined portions 86a, 86b, and 86c. The cylindrical cam 86 is continuous with the inclined surfaces and has one end portion 86d on the non-driving side in the longitudinal direction. The first side plate 15 has three inclined portions 15d, 15e, and 15f facing the three inclined portions 86a, 86b, and 86c, and an end surface 15g facing the one end portion 86d of the cylindrical cam 86. As shown in FIG. 5 , the hub 86 e provided in the cylindrical cam 86 and the mounting hole 85 b provided in the cylindrical cam link 85 are rotatably installed. Furthermore, the hub 85a provided at the other end of the cylindrical cam link 85 and the mounting hole 13a provided in the opening and closing door 13 are rotatably mounted.

Once the opening and closing door 13 is rotated and opened, the cylindrical cam link 85 operates in conjunction with the opening and closing door 13 . By the operation of the cylindrical cam link 85, the cylindrical cam 86 rotates in the clock direction P. When the cylindrical cam 86 rotates, the inclined portions 86a, 86b, and 86c slide along the inclined portions 15d, 15e, and 15f, thereby moving the cylindrical cam 86 to the driving side in the longitudinal direction. Finally, as shown in FIG. 5 , the one end portion 86 d of the cylindrical cam 86 moves until it comes into contact with the end surface 15 g of the first side plate 15 .

Here, as shown in FIG. 4 , one end (fixed end 81 c ) of the drive transmission member 81 on the drive side in the axial direction is fitted into the bearing 94 and is supported rotatably and moveably in the axial direction. Furthermore, the drive transmission member 81 has a collision surface 81e, and the cylindrical cam 86 has a collision portion 86f facing the collision surface 81e. In addition, a gap is maintained between the center portion 81d in the longitudinal direction of the drive transmission member 81 and the first side plate 15. In this gap, the tilt member 97 including the tilt rebound spring 98 for tilting the drive transmission member 81 is provided on the first side plate 15 . Detailed description of the tilt member 97 will be given later.

As mentioned above, the cylindrical cam 86 moves in the longitudinal direction toward the side away from the cartridge (the driving side). Thereby, the collision surface 81e of the drive transmission member 81 is pushed to the collision part 86f of the cylindrical cam 86, and the drive transmission member 81 moves to the side away from the cartridge. Thereby, the drive transmission member 81 acquires the retracted position. That is, the opening and closing door 13 moves to the open position in conjunction with the opening and closing door 13, and the drive transmission member 81 retreats from the movement path when the cartridge B is installed. This ensures a space for installing the cartridge B in the device body A.

The cylindrical cam 86 is a retraction member (retraction mechanism) that moves the drive transmission member 81 to the retraction position in conjunction with the movement of the opening and closing door 13 to the open position. ＜Installation of cassette＞

Next, the installation of the cartridge B will be explained using FIG. 6 . FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the device body viewed from the driving side when the cartridge is installed. Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the device body viewed from the non-driving side when the cartridge is installed.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the first side plate 15 has an upper guide rail 15h and a lower guide rail 15i as guide devices, and the side plate 16 has an upper guide rail 16h and a lower guide rail 16i. Furthermore, the drum bearing 73 provided on the driving side of the cartridge B has a guided portion 73g and a rotation-locked portion 73c. In the mounting direction of the cartridge B (arrow C), the guided portion 73g and the rotation-locked portion 73c are arranged upstream of the axis of the coupling convex portion 63b. In addition, the cleaning frame 71 has a positioned portion 71d and a rotation-locked portion 71g on the non-driving side in the longitudinal direction.

In addition, the mounting direction C of the cartridge B is a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drum 62 . In addition, the upstream or downstream of the mounting direction refers to the moving direction of the cartridge B immediately before the mounting to the device body A, and upstream and downstream are defined.

Once the cartridge B is installed from the cartridge insertion opening 17 of the device body A, the driving side of the cartridge B, which is the guided portion 73g and the rotation-locked portion 73c of the cartridge B, will be guided to the guide rails 15h and 15h of the device body A. 15i under rail. On the non-driving side of the cartridge B, the positioned portion 71d and the rotation-locked portion 71g of the cartridge B are guided to the upper guide rail 16h and the lower guide rail 16i of the device body A. Thereby, the cartridge B is installed on the device body A.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the drive side of the cartridge. As shown in FIG. 7 , a developing roller gear (developing gear) 30 is provided at the end of the developing roller 32 . That is, the developing roller gear 30 is connected to the shaft of the developing roller 32 .

The developing roller 32 is coaxial with the developing roller gear 30 and rotates around the axis Ax2 shown in FIG. 7 . The axis Ax2 of the developing roller 32 is arranged substantially parallel to the axis Ax1 of the drum 62 . Therefore, the axial direction of the developing roller gear 30 is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the drum 62 .

The developing roller gear 30 is a drive input gear (cartridge side gear, drive input member) that inputs drive force (rotational force) from the outside of the cartridge B (that is, the device body A). The developing roller 32 is configured to rotate by the driving force received by the developing roller gear 30 .

As shown in FIG. 7 , the side surface of the cartridge B on the driving side is opened on the drum 62 side of the developing roller gear 30 so that the developing roller gear 30 or the coupling convex portion 63 b is exposed. Space87.

The coupling convex portion 63b is formed on the drive-side drum flange (coupling member, drum coupling) 63 attached to the end of the drum. The coupling convex portion 63b is a coupling portion (drum side coupling portion, cartridge side coupling portion, photoreceptor side coupling portion, input coupling portion, drive input section). The coupling convex portion 63 b is arranged coaxially with the drum 62 . That is, the coupling convex portion 63b rotates around the axis Ax1.

In addition, in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B, the side where the coupling convex portion 63b is provided is the driving side, and the opposite side corresponds to the non-driving side.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the developing roller gear 30 has a gear portion (input gear portion, cartridge side gear portion, developing side gear portion) 30a and an end surface 30a1 provided on the driving side of the gear portion. The teeth (gear teeth) formed on the outer periphery of the gear portion 30 a are helical teeth that are inclined with respect to the axis of the developing roller gear 30 . That is, the developing roller gear 30 is a helical gear.

Here, the term "helical gear" also includes a shape in which a plurality of protrusions are arranged along a line inclined with respect to the axis of the gear to substantially form a helical gear portion.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the drive transmission member (drive output member, main body side drive member) 81 has a gear portion (main body side gear portion, output gear portion) 81 a for driving the developing roller gear 30 . The gear portion 81a has an end surface 81a1 at its non-driving side end. The teeth (gear teeth) formed in the gear portion 81 a are also helical teeth inclined with respect to the axis of the drive transmission member 81 . That is, the drive transmission member 81 is also provided with a portion that serves as a helical gear.

Furthermore, the drive transmission member 81 has a coupling recess 81b. The coupling recessed portion 81b is a coupling portion (main body side coupling portion, output coupling portion) provided on the device body side. The coupling recessed portion 81b is a recessed portion that can be coupled with the coupling convex portion 63b provided on the drum side in the coupling cylindrical portion 81i provided at the front end of the drive transmission member 81.

The space (space) 87 configured so that the gear portion 30a or the coupling convex portion 63b is exposed is used to arrange the gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 when the cartridge B is mounted on the device body A. Therefore, the space 87 is larger than the gear portion 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 . Due to the existence of the space 87, when the cartridge B is installed on the device body A, the drive transmission member 81 will not interfere with the cartridge B. The space 87 allows the cartridge B to be mounted on the device body A by arranging the drive transmission member 81 inside.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7 , when the cartridge B is viewed along the axis of the drum 62 (the axis of the coupling convex portion 63 b ), the gear teeth formed in the gear portion 30 a are arranged close to the peripheral surface of the drum 62 Location.

The gear teeth of the gear portion 30a have an exposed portion 30a3 exposed from the cartridge B in the axial direction of the developing roller gear 30. As long as the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 is exposed from the driving-side developing-side member 26, the gear portion 81a will not interfere with the driving-side developing-side member 26 and can engage the gear portion 30a to transmit driving.

Then, at least a part of the exposed portion of the gear portion 30a is disposed outside the cartridge B (driving side) beyond the front end 63b1 of the coupling convex portion 63b and faces the axis of the drum. 7 shows a state in which the gear teeth arranged in the exposed portion 30a3 of the gear portion 30a face the rotation axis Ax1 of the drum 62 (the rotation axis of the coupling convex portion 63b). The axis Ax1 of the drum 62 is located above the exposed portion 30a3 of the gear portion 30a.

In FIG. 7 , at least a part of the gear portion 30 a protrudes toward the drive side in the axial direction rather than the coupling convex portion 63 b , so the gear portion 30 a overlaps the gear portion 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 in the axial direction. Furthermore, a part of the gear portion 30a is exposed so as to face the axis Ax1 of the drum 62. Therefore, when the cartridge B is inserted into the device body A, the gear portion 30a comes into contact with the gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81.

With the above-described arrangement relationship, the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 and the gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 can engage with each other during the process of mounting the cartridge B to the device body A.

In addition, in the mounting direction C of the cartridge B, the center (axis) of the gear portion 30a is arranged upstream of the center (axis) of the drum 62.

The drum bearing 73 has a fitted portion 73h as a positioned portion (axially positioned portion) in the longitudinal direction (axial direction). The first side plate 15 of the device body A has a fitting portion 15j that can be fitted with the fitted portion 73h (see Fig. 17). The position of the cartridge B in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) is determined by the fitting portion 73h of the cartridge B fitting into the fitting portion 15j of the device body A during the above-mentioned installation process. In addition, in this embodiment, the fitted portion 73h is a slit (groove). ＜Closing the opening and closing door after the cassette is installed＞

Next, a state in which the opening and closing door 13 is closed will be described. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the cartridge pressing part and the positioning part on the drive side, and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cartridge pressing part and the positioning part on the non-driving side.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the first side plate 15 has an upper positioning part 15 a , a lower positioning part 15 b and a rotation stopper 15 c for positioning, and the side plate 16 has a positioning part 16 a and a rotation stopper 16 c. The drum bearing 73 has an upper positioned portion (first positioned portion, first protrusion, first protruding portion) 73d and a lower positioned portion (second positioned portion, second protrusion, second protruding portion) 73f.

In addition, the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 are slidably attached to both ends of the opening and closing door 13 in the axial direction. The cartridge pressing springs 1a and 2a are attached to the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2. As a rebound force receiving portion on the cartridge side, the drum bearing 73 has a pressed portion 73e on the driving side, and the cleaning frame 71 has a pressed portion 71o on the non-driving side. As the rebound force receiving portion on the device body side, the first side plate 15 has a pressed portion 15k, and the side plate 16 has a pressed portion 16k.

By closing the opening and closing door 13, the pressed portions 73e and 71o of the cartridge B and the pressed portions 15k and 16k of the device body A are rebounded by the cartridge pressing springs 1a and 2a of the device body A. The cartridge is pushed by pushing members 1 and 2.

Thereby, on the driving side, the upper positioning portion 73d, the lower positioning portion 73f and the anti-rotation portion 73c of the cartridge B will respectively contact the upper positioning portion 15a, the lower positioning portion 15b and the anti-rotation portion 15c of the device body A. As a result, cartridge B or drum 62 will be positioned on the drive side. Furthermore, on the non-driving side, the positioned portion 71d and the rotation-locked portion 71g of the cartridge B are respectively in contact with the positioning portion 16a and the rotation-locking portion 16c of the device body A. Thereby, cartridge B or drum 62 will be positioned on the non-driving side.

The pressed portions 73e and 71o are respectively arranged on one end side (driving side) and the other end side (non-driving side) of the cartridge B in the longitudinal direction. In particular, the pressed portion 73e is provided in the drum bearing 73. The pressed portions 73e and 71o have a concave shape (V-shape) so that the positions of the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 can be determined. The cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 are positioned by the pressed portions 73e and 71o. 2.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the positioned upper portion 73d and the positioned lower portion 73f are arranged near the drum 62. In addition, the upper positioning portion 73d and the lower positioning portion 73f are arranged along the rotation direction of the drum 62. In addition, in the drum bearing 73, it is necessary to secure a space (arc-shaped recess) 73l for arranging the transfer roller 7 between the positioned upper portion 73d and the positioned lower portion 73f. For this reason, the positioned upper portion 73d and the positioned lower portion 73f are arranged separately from each other. In addition, the positioned upper portion 73d and the positioned lower portion 73f are protrusions protruding from the drum bearing 73 toward the inside in the axial direction. As described above, a space 87 needs to be secured around the coupling convex portion 63b. For this reason, the positioned portion upper portion 73d and the positioned portion lower portion 73f are not protruded to the outside in the axial direction, but are instead protruded to the inside to secure the space 87.

In addition, in FIG. 7 , the positioned upper portion 73 d and the positioned lower portion 73 f are disposed so as to partially cover the driving side drum flange 63 provided at the end of the photoreceptor drum 62 . If the upper portion 73d to be positioned and the driving-side drum flange 63 are projected onto the axis of the drum 62, the projected areas of the upper portion 73d and the driving-side drum flange 63 will at least partially overlap. In this regard, the positioned lower part 73f is also the same as the positioned upper part 73d.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , by closing the opening and closing door 13 , the cylindrical cam 86 causes the inclined portions 86 a , 86 b , and 86 c to meet along the inclined portion 15 d of the first side plate 15 via the cylindrical cam link 85 . , 15e, 15f rotate, and the side can move to the non-driving side (the side close to the cartridge B) in the long side direction. Thereby, the drive transmission member 81 located in the retracted position can move to the non-driving side (the side close to the cartridge B) in the longitudinal direction. <Start driving operation of the drive transmission member>

Next, the drive start operation of the drive transmission member after closing the opening and closing door will be described.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the drive transmission member. As shown in FIG. 9 , the drive transmission member 81 has a coupling recess 81 b and a front end portion 81 b 1 of the coupling recess 81 b on the non-drive side, and has a bottom 81 b 2 for positioning at the bottom of the coupling recess 81 b. The coupling recess 81b of the drive transmission member 81 is a hole with a substantially triangular cross section. The coupling recessed portion 81b has a shape that twists in the counterclockwise direction N toward the driving side (the deeper side of the recessed portion 81b) when viewed from the non-driving side (the cartridge side, the opening side of the recessed portion 81b). The gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 is a helical gear and has gear teeth that twist in the counterclockwise direction N toward the drive side when viewed from the non-drive side (cassette side).

The gear portion 81 a and the coupling recess 81 b are arranged so that the axis of the gear portion 81 a and the coupling recess 81 b overlap with the axis of the drive transmission member 81 . That is, the gear portion 81a and the coupling recessed portion 81b are arranged coaxially (concentrically).

As shown in FIG. 7 , the drum bearing 73 has a concave bottom surface 73i, the drive-side drum flange 63 has a coupling convex portion 63b on the drive side, and has a front end portion 63b1 at the front end of the coupling convex portion 63b. The coupling convex portion 63b of the drive-side drum flange 63 has a substantially triangular cross section and a convex shape (convex portion, protrusion). The coupling convex portion 63b has a shape that twists in the counterclockwise direction from the driving side (the front end side of the coupling convex portion 63b) toward the non-driving side (the bottom side of the coupling convex portion 63b). That is, the coupling convex portion 63b is inclined (twisted) toward the rotation direction R of the drum from the outside toward the inside of the cartridge in the axial direction.

In addition, the portion (ridge line) of the coupling convex portion 63b that forms a corner of the triangular prism (the vertex of the triangle) becomes a driving force receiving portion that actually receives the driving force (rotational force) from the coupling recessed portion 81b. This driving force receiving portion is inclined toward the rotation direction of the drum from the outside toward the inside of the cartridge in the axial direction. Furthermore, the inner surface (inner peripheral surface) of the coupling recessed portion 81b serves as a driving force imparting portion for imparting driving force to the coupling convex portion 63b.

In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the coupling convex part 63b or the coupling recessed part 81b is called a substantial triangle (polygonal shape), such as chamfering, although it is not a strict triangle (polygonal shape). That is, the coupling convex portion 63b has a shape in which the protrusions of a triangular prism (corner prism) are substantially twisted. However, the shape of the coupling convex portion 63b is not limited to this. The shape of the coupling convex portion 63b can be changed as long as it can be coupled with the coupling recessed portion 81b, that is, as long as it can be engaged and driven. For example, three hubs are respectively arranged at the vertices of a triangle, and each hub has a twisted shape with the axis of the drum 62 as the center.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the gear portion 30 a of the developing roller gear 30 is a helical gear and has a shape that is twisted (inclined) in the clockwise direction from the driving side toward the non-driving side. That is, in the axial direction of the gear portion 30a, from the outside toward the inside of the cartridge, the gear teeth (helical teeth) of the gear portion 30a are inclined (twisted) in the clockwise direction (the direction of the developing roller or developing roller gear). direction of rotation). That is, the gear 30a is inclined (twisted) in the direction opposite to the rotation direction R of the drum 62 from the outside toward the inside in the axial direction.

10 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the drive transmission member in the thrust direction when the coupling device is engaged. As shown in FIG. 10 , the drive transmission member 81 is rotated in the clock direction (the rotation direction of the drum 62 ) by a motor (not shown) when viewed from the non-driving side (the cartridge side). Then, thrust force (force generated in the axial direction) is generated by the engagement of the helical teeth of the gear portion 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 30 a of the developing roller gear 30 . A force FA in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) is formed on the drive transmission member 81 , and the drive transmission member 81 is intended to move to the non-driving side (the side close to the cartridge) in the longitudinal direction. That is, the drive transmission member 81 is in close contact with the coupling convex portion 63b.

Then, by driving the transmission member 81 to rotate, when the triangular phases of the coupling recessed portion 81b and the coupling convex portion 63b coincide with each other, the coupling convex portion 63b and the coupling recessed portion 81b are engaged (coupled).

Then, once the convex portion 63b is engaged with the coupling recessed portion 81b, the coupling recessed portion 81b and the coupling convex portion 63b are twisted (inclined) with respect to the axis, so that the thrust force FC is generated again.

That is, the force FC acts on the non-driving side (the side close to the cartridge) of the drive transmission member 81 in the longitudinal direction. This force FC is combined with the aforementioned force FA to move the drive transmission member 81 to the non-driving side (the side close to the cartridge) in the longitudinal direction. That is, the coupling convex portion 63 has a function of bringing the drive transmission member 81 closer to the side of the coupling convex portion 63b of the cartridge B.

When the drive transmission member 81 is brought closer by the coupling convex portion 63b, the front end portion 81b1 of the drive transmission member 81 comes into contact with the concave bottom surface 73i of the drum bearing 73 and is positioned in the longitudinal direction (axial direction).

Furthermore, the reaction force FB of the force FC acts on the drum 62, and by this reaction force (resistance) FB, the drum 62 moves in the longitudinal direction to the drive side (the side close to the drive transmission member 81, outside the cartridge B ). That is, the drum 62 or the coupling convex portion 63b is brought closer to the drive transmission member 81 side. Thereby, the front end portion 63b1 of the coupling convex portion 63b of the drum 62 comes into contact with the bottom portion 81b2 of the coupling recessed portion 81b. Thereby, the drum 62 is also positioned in the axial direction (longitudinal direction).

That is, the positions of the drum 62 and the drive transmission member 81 in the axial direction are determined by bringing the coupling convex portion 63b and the coupling recessed portion 81b closer to each other.

In this state, the drive transmission member 81 is in the drive position (in-out position). In other words, the drive transmission member 81 is a position for transmitting the driving force to the coupling convex portion 63b and the gear portion 30a respectively, and is directed toward the position where the cartridge is put in and out.

Furthermore, due to the triangular centering effect of the coupling recess 81 b, the core of the front end of the drive transmission member 81 is aligned with the drive side drum flange 63 . That is, the drive transmission member 81 is aligned with the drum flange 63 so that the drive transmission member 81 and the photoreceptor become coaxial. Thereby, drive is accurately transmitted from the drive transmission member 81 to the developing roller gear 30 and the drive-side drum flange 63 .

The coupling recessed portion 81b and the coupling convex portion 63b engaged therewith can also be regarded as a centering portion. That is, the coupling recessed portion 81b and the coupling convex portion 63b are engaged, so that the drive transmission member 81 and the drum become coaxial with each other. In particular, the coupling recessed portion 81 b is a main body side alignment portion (image forming apparatus body side alignment portion), and the coupling convex portion 63 b is called a cartridge side alignment portion.

As explained above, the engagement of the coupling device is assisted by the force FA and the force FC acting on the drive transmission member 81 toward the non-drive side.

Furthermore, by positioning the drive transmission member 81 using the drum bearing (bearing member) 73 provided in the cartridge B, the position accuracy of the drive transmission member 81 with respect to the cartridge B can be improved.

Since the position accuracy in the longitudinal direction of the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 and the gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 is good, the width of the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 can be reduced. The device body A for mounting the cartridge B or the cartridge B can be miniaturized.

To summarize the above embodiment, the gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 have helical teeth. Helical teeth have a higher meshing rate between gears than flat teeth. As a result, the rotation accuracy of the developing roller 32 is improved, and the developing roller 32 rotates smoothly.

Moreover, the direction in which the helical teeth of the gear part 30a and the gear part 81a inclines is defined so that the force (force FA and force FB) which pulls the gear part 30a and the gear part 81a to each other may be generated. That is, by rotating in a state where the gear portion 30 a and the gear portion 81 a are engaged, the coupling recess 81 b provided in the drive transmission member 81 and the coupling convex portion 63 b provided in the end portion of the photoreceptor drum 62 are brought close to each other. force. As a result, the drive transmission member 81 moves toward the cartridge B side, and the coupling recessed portion 81b also approaches the coupling convex portion 63b. Thereby, the coupling (coupling) of the coupling recessed part 81b and the coupling convex part 63b is assisted). <Coupling device engagement conditions>

Next, the conditions for engagement of the coupling device will be described in detail using FIG. 11 . 11 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the drive transmission member when the coupling device is engaged, viewed from the drive side.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 , the drum bearing 73 has an inclination restricting portion (a movement restricting portion, a position restricting portion, a stopper) for restricting the movement of the drive transmission member 81 and restricting (suppressing) the inclination of the drive transmission member 81 . The restriction part 73j of the device).

As described above, when the drive transmission member 81 starts to rotate in the rotation direction R of the drum 62 , the gear portion 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 meshes with the gear portion 30 a of the developing roller gear 30 . On the other hand, the coupling recessed portion 81b and the coupling convex portion 63b are uncoupled or insufficiently coupled. In this state, when the gear portion 81a transmits the driving force to the gear portion 30a, the meshing force FD is generated in the gear portion 81a due to the meshing between the gears.

As this bite force FD is applied to the drive transmission member 81, the drive transmission member 81 tilts. That is, the drive transmission member 81 is supported only by the fixed end 81c of the drive side end (the end far away from the cartridge B) as described above, so the drive side end 81c (fixed end) is used as a fulcrum. , the drive transmission member 81 tilts. Then, the end portion (free end, front end) of the drive transmission member 81 on the side where the coupling recess 81b is provided moves.

If the drive transmission member 81 is greatly inclined, the coupling recessed portion 81b will not be coupled with the coupling convex portion 63b. In order to avoid this, the inclination of the drive transmission member 81 is suppressed (limited) within a certain range by providing the restriction portion 73j in the cartridge B. That is, when the drive transmission member 81 is tilted, the restriction portion 73j blocks the drive transmission member 81, thereby suppressing the inclination from becoming larger.

The restriction portion 73j of the drum bearing 73 is an arc-shaped curved portion arranged to face the axis of the drum 62 (the axis of the coupling convex portion 63b). The restricting portion 73j can also be regarded as a protruding portion that protrudes so as to cover the drum axis. A space 87 in which the components of the process cartridge B are not arranged is formed between the restricting portion 73j and the drum axis, and the drive transmission member 81 is configured to be arranged in this space 87. The restricting portion 73j faces the space 87 and is an edge (outer edge) forming the space 87 .

This restriction portion 73j is disposed at a position that can suppress the movement (tilt) of the drive transmission member 81 due to the bite force FD.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the direction in which the bite force FD is generated is determined by the front pressure angle α of the gear portion 81 a (that is, the front pressure angle α of the developing roller gear 30 ). The direction in which the bite force FD is generated is toward the rotation direction R of the drum 62 with respect to the arrow (ray) LN extending from the center 62 a of the drum (that is, the center of the drive transmission member 81 ) toward the center 30 b of the developing roller gear 30 Upstream tilt (90+α) degrees. In addition, it is not necessary to arrange the restriction part 73j on this line FDa. The restriction part 73j may be arranged near the ray FDa.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the restricting portion 73j is disposed upstream of the center (axis) of the coupling convex portion 63b in the cartridge mounting direction C. In order not to hinder the installation of the cartridge B by the restricting portion 73j. ＜Inclination structure of drive transmission member＞

Next, the tilt structure of the drive transmission member will be described.

As mentioned above, the drive transmission member 81 has the gear part 81a and the coupling recessed part 81b on the front-end side. Furthermore, the drive transmission member 81 is movable forward and backward, and is movable (tiltable). When the drive transmission member 81 moves in and out toward the cartridge side while rotating and the coupling recessed portion 81b is engaged with the coupling convex portion 63b, it is preferable to reduce the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 with respect to the drum 62. Therefore, as described above, the restriction portion 73j is provided in the cartridge to suppress the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 when the drive transmission member 81 is driven.

On the other hand, in order to remove the cartridge from the apparatus body, the gear portion 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 needs to be disengaged from the gear portion 30 a of the developing roller gear 30 . In order to smoothly release the engagement, it is preferable that the drive transmission member 81 is tiltable so that the gear portion 81a can be separated from the gear portion 30a. Therefore, as long as the drive transmission member 81 itself can be smoothly and tiltably supported, the removal of the cartridge will be smooth.

In order to incline the drive transmission member 81 so that the gear portion 81a is separated from the gear portion 30a, it is preferable to incline the drive transmission member 81 so as not to contact the restriction portion 73j when the cartridge is removed.

Furthermore, in order to disengage the gears, the drive transmission member 81 is easily tilted. On the other hand, when the cartridge is installed, the gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 needs to be aligned with the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. Bite sure. That is, when the cartridge is installed, the drive transmission member 81 is required to be held at a predetermined inclination angle so that the gears are reliably engaged with each other.

According to this, while supporting the drive transmission member 81 so that it can be tilted more easily, the drive transmission member 81 is tilted to an appropriate posture and angle when the cartridge is installed or removed.

First, the fixed end 81c side (the rear end side, the drive side) of the support structure of the drive transmission member 81 will be described. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the support structure of the bearing of the drive transmission member on the drive side.

A second side plate (second driving side side plate) 93 is mounted on the driving side of the device body A. As shown in FIG. 12 , the second side plate 93 is made of sheet metal (plate-shaped metal), and the holes 93 a are formed by stretching the sheet metal. The bearing 94 is inserted into the hole 93a of the second side plate 93. The drive transmission member 81 is rotatably supported by the bearing 94 . That is, the fixed end 81c of the drive transmission member 81 is supported by the bearing 94.

There is a gap (clearance) between the bearing 94 and the fixed end 81c of the drive transmission member 81. This embodiment is about 0.9mm. The drive transmission member 81 can be tilted through this gap.

As shown in FIG. 12 , a V-shaped portion 94 a is provided on the inner circumference of the bearing 94 . The V-shaped portion 94a is composed of two protruding portions (protruding portions) protruding from the inner peripheral portion of the first bearing 94. Since the two protrusions form a V-shape, these are called V-shaped portions 94a.

As described above, there is a gap between the bearing 94 and the fixed end 81c of the drive transmission member 81, so that the drive transmission member 81 can be tilted. However, when the drive transmission member 81 transmits the drive to the cartridge, it is necessary to align the axis of the drive transmission member 81 with the axis of the sensor drum 62 . That is, when the drive transmission member 81 is driven, the bearing 94 must be supported accurately without being tilted. Therefore, when the drive transmission member 81 is driven, the rear end side of the drive transmission member 81 is brought into contact with the V-shaped portion 94a formed by the two protrusions (protrusions), so that the drive transmission member 81 is moved substantially horizontally. The state is supported with excellent accuracy. The V-shaped portion 94 a is a posture determining portion (posture holding portion) that maintains the posture of the drive transmission member 81 .

In order to determine the phase of the bearing 94 (that is, to prevent the bearing 94 from rotating within the device body), the bearing 94 is provided with a convex portion 94b as a rotation stop. On the other hand, the second side plate 93 is provided with a hole 93b. By fitting this convex part 94b with the hole part 93b, the phase of the bearing 94 is fixed. That is, the bearing 94 is fixed so as not to rotate with respect to the second side plate 93 . In addition, the phase of the V-shaped portion 94a provided in the bearing 94 is also fixed.

The second side plate 93 is provided with a drive idler gear (not shown) that transmits drive from the motor, and a second gear portion 81 j that transmits drive from the drive idler gear to the drive transmission member 81 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 10 , the V-shaped portion 94 a is provided near the second gear portion 81 j of the drive transmission member 81 in the axial direction. The drive transmission member 81 is tilted with the fixed end 81c of the drive transmission member 81 as a fulcrum. For this reason, the tilt fulcrum of the drive transmission member 81 is close to the position in the axial direction of the second gear portion 81j of the drive transmission member 81 . Therefore, when the drive transmission member 81 is tilted, the change in the alignment misalignment of the drive idler gear 96 and the second gear portion 81j of the drive transmission member 81 or the tooth direction can be reduced. As a result, the gear engagement at the start of driving can be stabilized.

The phase of the V-shaped portion 94a is arranged at a position where the drive transmission member 81 can be stably held by the meshing between the drive idler gear and the second gear portion 81j of the drive transmission member 81. That is, by disposing the V-shaped portion 94a on the downstream side in the bite force direction, the fixed end 81c of the drive transmission member 81 collides with the V-shaped portion 94a of the bearing 94. Thereby, the drive transmission member 81 is set to be stably maintained. In addition, the radial position of the V-shaped portion 94a is the inter-axial distance between the drive idler gear 96 and the second gear portion 81j of the drive transmission member 81 when the rear end side of the drive transmission member 81 is in contact with the V-shaped portion 94a. will be in place. That is, the drive transmission member 81 is held at a position where the idler gear 96 and the drive transmission member 81 can mesh with each other.

Thereby, when the drive transmission member 81 is not driven, the rear end side of the drive transmission member 81 can be tilted in the gap as a fulcrum. In addition, during driving, the rear end side of the drive transmission member 81 rebounds to the V-shaped portion 94a by the bite force, and the inter-axial distance between the second gear portion 81j of the drive transmission member 81 and the drive idler gear 96 is obtained with good accuracy. Position 1. As a result, rotational power can be transmitted with high precision.

Next, the coupling recessed portion 81b side (the front end side, the free end side, and the non-driving side) of the supporting structure of the drive transmission member 81 will be described. Fig. 13(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the drive transmission member when the coupling device is engaged. Fig. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the drive transmission member when the opening and closing door is opened. Fig. 14 is when the opening and closing door is opened. Cross-sectional view of the posture of the drive transmission member.

As shown in FIG. 13(a) , the drive transmission member 81 when the coupling device is engaged is supported by the space 15n provided in the first side plate (first drive side side plate) 15 , and the drive transmission member 81 has a gap to support it. . The space 15n of the first side plate 15 is disposed at a position facing the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. Furthermore, the first side plate 15 is provided with an inclination member 97 including an inclination rebound spring 98 in order to incline the drive transmission member 81 . The tilt member 97 rebounds in such a direction that the gear portion 81 a configured to drive the drive transmission member 81 separates from the developing roller gear 30 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 13(b) , when the door is opened and closed, the drive transmission member 81 can obtain a second posture in which the axis of the drive transmission member 81 is tilted by the tilt member 97 . The drive transmission member 81 in the second posture is tilted so that the space 15n of the first side plate 15 can be filled by the tilting member 97. Therefore, the gear portion 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 is inclined away from the gear portion 30 a of the developing roller gear 30 . Therefore, a gap is generated in the radial direction between the gear portion 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 30 a of the developing roller gear 30 .

In addition, when the coupling device is engaged, the drive transmission member 81 receives the rebound force through the tilt member 97, but the coupling recessed portion 81b of the drive transmission member 81 is formed by the alignment of the coupling recessed portion 81b and the coupling convex portion 63b. Decide on location.

As shown in FIG. 14 , a V-shaped portion 15m is provided in the space 15n of the first side plate 15 as a bearing (holding portion) for the drive transmission member 81 when the cartridge B is not installed. The V-shaped portion 15m is for supporting the drive transmission member 81 tilted by the tilt member 97, and is arranged at a position receiving the tilt of the space 15n of the first side plate 15. That is, the drive transmission member 81 of the V-shaped portion 15m held in the space 15n causes a gap in the radial direction between the gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30, so that the gap is generated in the radial direction. When the box B is installed or removed, the gears can be released from the engagement with each other. ＜Structure of the control components of the cartridge＞

Next, a description will be given of a structure in which the control member (alignment auxiliary member, movable member, rebound member, alignment member, and lever member) 101 is provided in the cartridge when the drive transmission member 81 is configured to be tiltable. Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the control member of the cartridge.

As shown in FIG. 15(a) , the control member 101 that controls the posture of the drive transmission member 81 is disposed on the drive side of the cartridge. The control member 101 is a movable member movable with respect to the photoreceptor drum 62 . This control member 101 is rotatably mounted to the drum bearing 73 about the axis AA of the support hub 101a.

The drum bearing 73 is a part of the frame of the cartridge and supports the photoreceptor drum 62 rotatably. The drum bearing 73 is a part that forms the side surface of the cartridge on the drive side, and is attached to the end of the cleaning frame 71 on the drive side. Therefore, the drum bearing 73 can also be regarded as a part of the cleaning frame 71 .

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the rebound spring 102 of the helical torsion spring is attached to the support hub 101a. The control member 101 rebounds in the direction of arrow BB by the rebound force of the rebound spring 102 . On the other hand, the drum bearing 73 is provided with a control member contact portion (stop portion) 73 a that defines the rotation range of the control member 101 . Since the control member 101 is rebounded in the direction of arrow BB by the rebound spring 102, the contacted portion 101b of the control member 101 is in a position of contacting the control member contact portion 73a. That is, when the control member contact portion 73a comes into contact with the control member 101, the movement of the control member 101 is stopped.

Moreover, when viewed along the axial direction of the drum 62, the control part (restriction part, rebound part, action part) 101c of the control member 101 is arranged near the surface (outer peripheral surface) 62b of the drum 62. The position of the control member 101 in this state is called the action position (normal position) of the control member.

On the other hand, the control member 101 may move away from the drum 62 to a retracted position (non-acting position) from the operative position upon receiving force from the outside. An example of this is shown in FIG. 22 . FIG. 22 is a side view of the cartridge B. FIG. The control member 101 moves a certain distance from the active position toward the retreat position as the cartridge B is installed on the device body A. This will be discussed later.

The control portion 101 c of the control member 101 is arranged at a position outside the coupling convex portion 63 b in the longitudinal direction.

The upper view of FIG. 15(a) is shown in FIG. 19 . In FIG. 19 , in the arrow CC direction, a clearance W is provided to the proximate portion 73 b of the drum bearing 73 on the front end side of the contacted portion 101 b of the control member 101 . Therefore, if force F1 is applied to the front end of the control member 101, the control member 101 may bend in the direction of arrow CD.

Next, the operation of the control member during installation of the cartridge will be described. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the tilting operation of the drive transmission member when the cartridge is installed.

As mentioned above, when the cartridge B is not mounted on the device body A, the drive transmission member 81 is tilted and held by the tilting member 97 . The drive transmission member 81 receives the rebound force FF2 via the tilt member 97 . Once the cartridge B is inserted and the opening and closing door 13 is closed, as shown in FIG. 16 , the control part 101 c of the control member 101 comes into contact with the gear part 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 . Therefore, the drive transmission member 81 receives the rebound force FF1 from the control unit 101c.

Therefore, in the drive transmission member 81, the control unit 101c causes the rebound force FF1 in the arrow BB direction to act, and the tilt member 97 causes the rebound force FF2 to act. As a result, FF1>FF2 acts on the drive transmission member 81, so the inclination of the drive transmission member 81 becomes smaller. Therefore, the drive transmission member 81 moves, and the gear portion 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 meshes with the gear portion 30 a of the developing roller gear 30 .

The above is summarized as follows from the installation of the cartridge in the tilted state of the drive transmission member to the engagement of the coupling device according to this embodiment. First, the gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 are meshed with each other by the control member 101 of the cartridge B. Once the drive transmission member 81 is driven, the drive transmission member 81 moves to the drum 62 side by the engagement force in the thrust direction of the gear portion 30 a of the developing roller gear 30 . Furthermore, the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 is restricted by the restriction portion 73j of the cartridge B. Thereby, even if the device body A in which the drive transmission member 81 is tilted, the eccentricity between the coupling devices can be reduced and the two coupling devices can be engaged. ＜Removing the cassette＞

The operation of changing the opening and closing door 13 of the device body A from the closed state to the open state will be explained. Figure 13(a) shows the state of the opening and closing door being closed, and Figure 13(b) shows the state of the opening and closing door being opened.

First, a description will be given of disengagement of the coupling device. When the door 13 is rotated and opened, the cylindrical cam 86 rotates via the cylindrical cam link 85 . Once the cylindrical cam 86 rotates, the inclined portions 86a, 86b, and 86c of the cylindrical cam 86 slide along the inclined portions 15d, 15e, and 15f, thereby moving the cylindrical cam 86 to the driving side (Fig. 5). By this movement, the engagement of the coupling projections and depressions 63b and 81b is disengaged. Furthermore, once the opening and closing door 13 is opened, the coupling convex part 63b and the recessed part 81b are separated.

Next, the process from engagement and disengagement of the coupling device to pulling out the cartridge B will be described. As shown in FIG. 13( b ), once the opening and closing door 13 is opened, the drive transmission member 81 comes into contact with the protruding portion 93 c of the second side plate 93 and is tilted. A gap is generated in the meshing of the gear portion 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 30 a of the developing roller gear 30 in the radial direction. As a result, when the cartridge B is pulled out from the device body A, the engagement between the gears 81a and 30a is smoothly released. That is, the cartridge B can be easily pulled out from the device body A. <Structure of the cover portion of the drive transmission member>

The cover portion 105 of the drive transmission member 81 of the protector body A will be described. 17(a) is a perspective view showing the drive transmission member and the cover part when the coupling device is engaged, and FIG. 17(b) is a perspective view showing the drive transmission member and the cover part in a state where the opening and closing door is opened. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the control member when the cartridge is installed and removed.

As shown in FIG. 17 , the cover portion 105 that protects the drive transmission member 81 is provided on the first side plate 15 so as to cover the drive transmission member 81 . The cover part 105 has four opening parts.

First, the first opening 105a is located at a position where the coupling cylindrical portion 81i of the drive transmission member 81 protrudes in the driven state, and is the non-driving side end surface 105e of the cover portion 105. In addition, the position in the longitudinal direction of the non-driving side end surface 105e of the cover part 105 is disposed between the gear part end surface 81a1 of the drive transmission member 81 and the drum bearing 73 in the driving state. Furthermore, the position in the longitudinal direction of the non-driving side end surface 105e of the cover part 105 is such that the front end part 81b1 of the coupling recess protrudes in the driving state. In addition, when the door 13 is opened, the drive transmission member 81 is in the retracted position, so the front end portion 81b1 of the coupling recess does not protrude further than the non-drive side end surface 105e of the cover portion 105. Therefore, the cover portion 105 is arranged in the axial direction of the drum 62 so as not to interfere with the installation of the cartridge B.

Next, the second opening 105 b is a position where the gear portion 81 a of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 30 a of the developing roller gear 30 mesh with each other in the driven state, and is located downward and upstream of the side surface of the cover portion 105 in the mounting direction C. . In addition, since the gear portion 81a of the inclined drive transmission member 81 in the open state of the opening and closing door 13 is inclined in a direction away from the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 by the inclined member 97, it is arranged away from the second The position of the opening 105b.

Furthermore, the third opening 105c is disposed at a position of the restriction portion 73j of the cartridge B that restricts the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 when the coupling device is engaged, and upstream of the side surface of the cover portion 105 in the mounting direction C of the cartridge B. side. In addition, since the gear portion 81a of the inclined drive transmission member 81 in the open state of the opening and closing door 13 is inclined to the downstream side in the mounting direction C of the cartridge B by the inclined member 97, it is arranged away from the third opening 105c. Location.

Furthermore, the fourth opening 105d is located at a position where the control member 101 of the cartridge B in the driven state is close to the gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81, and is located downstream of the side surface of the cover portion 105 in the mounting direction C of the cartridge B. Above (the side opposite the second opening).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 18 , the cover portion 105 between the third opening 105 c and the fourth opening 105 d has a guide portion that guides the operation of the control member 101 when the cartridge B is installed and removed. 105f. The cover portion 105f guides the front end portion of the control member 101 and guides the control member 101 to the fourth opening 105d.

As mentioned above, when the cartridge B is installed on the device body A, the space 87 of the cartridge B is used to arrange the gear portion 81 a and the cover portion 105 of the drive transmission member 81 inside. By having this space 87, when the cartridge B is installed on the device body A, the drive transmission member 81 will not interfere with the cartridge B, allowing the cartridge B to be installed on the device body A.

As described above, this embodiment is configured to provide the cover portion 105 that protects the drive transmission member 81 of the device body A. Therefore, even when the process cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus body is pulled out from the apparatus body, it is difficult for the user to come into contact with the output coupling portion of the drive transmission member of the image forming apparatus and the lubricant applied to the output gear. Improves usability. ＜Relationship between cartridge and cover＞

As described above, when the cartridge is installed in the device body A, the space 87 is provided in the cartridge B so that the cartridge B does not interfere with the cover 105a and the drive transmission member 81 of the device body A (see FIG. 7 ). . This space 87 is formed into a shape matching the cover portion 105a or the drive transmission member 81, which will be described below.

A side view of the cartridge is shown in Figure 20. FIG. 20 is a view showing the driving side of the cartridge, which is a plane perpendicular to the axis of the drum 62 . In addition, FIG. 20 shows a state in which the control member 101 is in the active position.

The drum bearing 73 forming the side surface of the cleaning frame 71 has a restricting portion (projecting portion) 73j protruding outward in the axial direction. In addition, the drum bearing 73 further has a protruding portion 73m protruding toward the outside in the axial direction. Here, the restricting part 73j may be called a first protruding part, and the protruding part 73m may be called a second protruding part.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the restriction member 101 is arranged near the drum bearing 73 .

On the other hand, the developing roller 30 supported by the developing frame 29 supports the developing roller gear 32 .

These protrusions (73j, 73m), the restricting member 101, and the developing roller gear 32 are arranged outside the coupling protrusion 63b attached to the drum 62 in the axial direction (see FIG. 7 ). The protrusions (73j, 73m), the restricting member 101, and the developing roller gear 30 are arranged so as to surround the axis AX1. The surrounding space is surrounded by the protruding portions (73j, 73m), the restricting member 101, and the developing roller gear 30 as a space 87 (see Figs. 7 and 25).

By setting the shape or arrangement of the protrusions (73j, 73m), the restricting member 101, and the developing roller gear 30 to meet specific conditions, the space 87 is adapted to the shape of the cover portion 105a or the drive transmission member 81. Detailed description below.

In the following description, polar coordinates (circular coordinates) of a plane parallel to the axis AX1 of the drum 62 are used. In this polar coordinate system, with the center of the drum 62 (axis AX1) as the origin (pole), a line extending from the center of the drum 62 (axis AX1) to the center (axis AX2) of the developing roller gear 30 is Starting line (polar line). The starting line may be a line extending from the center of the drum 62 toward the center of the developing roller. Let the rotation direction R of the photoreceptor drum be the positive direction of the angular coordinate (declination angle) Θ. Unless otherwise specified, when the distance from the center of the photoreceptor drum (axis AX1) is discussed below, it is the distance in this polar coordinate system. That is, the distance measured from the axis AX1 of the drum in a direction perpendicular to the axis AX1. In the polar coordinate system, the distance from the origin (the drum axis AX1) is sometimes called the radial coordinate r.

In FIG. 20 , α1 represents the angular coordinate of the upstream end portion of the surface portion of the restricting portion (first protruding portion) 73j in the rotation direction R, and α2 represents the angular coordinate of the downstream end portion. The surface portion of the restriction portion 73 faces the center (AX2) of the drum 62.

Here, regarding the angular coordinates of the restricting portion 73j, an ideal range is "190°<α1<α2<280°".

More detailed and suitable conditions are "190°<α1<250°" and "220°<α2<280°".

In this embodiment, it is roughly set to: α1=216° α2=227°.

Here, in the above-mentioned polar coordinate system (Fig. 20), let the distance from the center of the drum 62 (axis AX1) to the surface portion of the restriction portion 73j be Ra, and let the distance from the center of the drum 62 (axis AX1) to the surface of the restricting portion 73j be Ra. The distance between the addendum circles of the roller gear 30 is set to R1. Let the distance from the center of the drum 62 (axis AX1) to the center (axis AX2) of the developing roller gear 30 be R2.

At this time, the relationship "R1＜Ra＜R2" is satisfied.

To sum up the above, regarding the radial coordinate r and the angular coordinate Θ of the polar coordinate system, it is appropriate to arrange the surface portion of the restriction portion 73j inside the region satisfying "R1<r<R2, 190°<Θ<280°".

Furthermore, in the rotation direction R of the drum 62 , the control part 101 c of the control member 101 is located upstream of the restriction part 73 j and downstream of the developing roller gear 30 . The control part 101 c is a part of the surface of the control member 101 facing the axis AX1 of the drum 62 .

In this embodiment, in the polar coordinate system, the angle coordinate of the downstream end of the control part 101c is α4, and the angle coordinate of the upstream end is α3. If α3 and α4 indicate an appropriate range, it is "110°<α3<α4<225°". That is, it is preferable that the control part 101c is located inside the range where the angle coordinate Θ meets "110°<Θ<225°". However, as mentioned above, the control part 101c is located upstream of the restriction part 73j in the rotation direction R.

More detailed conditions for α3 and α4 are as follows. 110°＜α3＜170° 170°＜α4＜225°

In this embodiment, it is roughly set to: α3=147° α4=180°.

The angle coordinates α1 and α2 of both ends of the restriction portion 73j and the angle coordinates α3 and α4 of both ends of the control portion 101c are set to satisfy "α3<α4<α1<α2".

Furthermore, in the polar coordinate system (Fig. 20), the shortest distance R3 from the center of the drum 62 (axis AX1) to the control unit 101c is longer than the distance from the center (axis AX1) of the drum 62 to the center (axis AX1) of the developing roller gear 30. AX2) distance R2 is smaller. In addition, R3 is larger than the distance R1 from the center of the drum 62 (axis AX1) to the tooth top of the developing roller gear 30. That is, the relationship satisfying "R1<R3<R2" is formed.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the distance R3 from the center of the drum 62 (axis AX1) to the control part 101c is set slightly larger than the distance Ra from the center of the drum 62 (axis AX1) to the restriction part 73j. That is, the best "Ra<R3".

In addition, the control member 101 is provided with a recessed portion (recessed portion) 101d in the range of the angle coordinate α4 to the angle coordinate α1. The recessed portion 101d is a depression that is depressed away from the center of the drum. Let the distance from the center (axis AX1) of the drum 62 to the surface 101d1 forming the recessed portion 101d be L1. The distance L1 forms a relationship of "Ra<L1, R3<L1" with respect to the distance Ra from the drum center (axis AX1) to the protruding portion 73j and the distance R3 from the drum center (axis AX1) to the control portion 101c.

Furthermore, in the rotation direction R, the second protruding portion 73m and the escape portion 73k are provided downstream of the restricting portion 73j and upstream of the developing roller gear 30 . The surface of the second protruding portion 73m is located farther from the drum center (axis AX1) than the surface of the restricting portion 73j. Here, the restriction part 73j may be called a first protrusion part to distinguish it from the second protrusion part 73m.

That is, the second protruding portion 73m is recessed toward the outside in the radial direction with respect to the restricting portion (first protruding portion) 73k. The escape portion 73k is a space (space) created by the step difference between the restricting portion 73j and the second protruding portion 73m. On the side surface of the cartridge frame, the portion where the protruding portions (73j, 73m) are not formed is the recessed portion 73k.

Here, in FIG. 20 , the distance L2 from the axis AX1 of the drum 62 to the second protruding portion 73m is larger than the distance Ra from the axis AX1 to the protruding portion 73j. That is, the relationship "Ra<L2" is formed.

In summary, in the polar coordinate system, the recessed portion 73k is arranged in at least a part of the area where the angular coordinate Θ is "α2<Θ<360°" and the radial coordinate r is "Ra<r<R2".

In particular, it is ideal that the angle coordinate Θ has the recessed portion 73k over the entire range of "282°<Θ<297°". The relief portion 73k may also be configured to exceed this range.

In addition, in this embodiment, the second protruding portion 73m is provided so as to be connected to the escape portion 73k, but this is not necessarily necessary. For example, as shown in FIG. 23 , only the recessed portion 73k may be formed without the second protruding portion 73m. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a modification of the cartridge B in which the structure of Embodiment 1 is partially modified.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 21 of the X1-X1 cross-sectional view of Fig. 20, the restricting portion 101c and the protruding portions (73j, 73m) of the control member 101 are disposed outside the coupling protruding portion 63b in the longitudinal direction.

As mentioned above, the space 87 ( FIG. 7 ) is surrounded by the control member 101 , the protrusions ( 73 j , 73 m ), and the developing roller gear 30 , and is formed around the axis A1 of the drum 62 . When the cartridge B is installed on the device body A, the drive transmission member 81 and the cover 105 (see FIG. 17 ) protecting the drive transmission member 81 enter this space 87 .

24 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge and the device body in a state where the cartridge B is mounted on the device body A. Furthermore, FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge in a state where the cartridge B is not mounted on the device body A. As shown in FIG. FIG. 25 is a cross-section through the developing roller gear 30 and perpendicular to the axis of the photoreceptor drum.

As shown in Fig. 24, by providing the escape portion 73k and the escape portion 101d on the side of the cartridge, interference between the cover portion 105 and the cartridge is avoided. As shown in FIG. 25 , a space 87 surrounded by the developing roller gear 30 , the protrusions ( 73 j , 73 m ), and the control member 101 is formed around the axis AX of the photoreceptor drum. In particular, the space 87 is expanded by the escape portion 73k or the escape portion 101d, so the space 87 can be made larger than the cover portion 105. The cover part 105 can be arranged in the space 87, and the drive transmission member 81 and the cartridge B can be connected.

As shown in FIG. 20 , the space 87 is larger than a circle with a radius R1 centered on the axis AX1 of the drum 62 . The radius R1 is the distance from the axis A1 of the drum 62 to the tooth top of the developing roller gear 30 . That is, the inside of the circle with the radius R1 is a necessary area for accommodating the drive transmission member 81 .

Furthermore, the space 87 includes a space expanded by the escape portion 73k and the recessed portion 101d. The cover 105 is arranged in this area. As shown in FIG. 24, the area corresponding to the escape part 73k is the part 105i where the cover part 105 is arrange|positioned. The recessed portion 101d is a portion 105h where the cover portion 105 is arranged.

In addition, the space 87 is a region also included in the rotation direction R of the drum 62, on the downstream side of the developing roller gear 30, and on the upstream side of the control unit 101c. As shown in FIG. 24 , part 105g of the cover 105 is disposed in this area. It is preferable that the space 87 for arranging the part 105g be formed at least in the entire range where the declination angle coordinate Θ is "63°<θ<109°". In this embodiment, the space 87 is not closed but is open in a region downstream of the developing roller gear 30 and upstream of the control unit 101c. That is, the drum bearing 73 is a component that closes the space 87 between the developing roller gear 30 and the control unit 101 c.

In a region downstream of the developing roller gear 30 and upstream of the control unit 101 c , the space 87 is provided with a region where the distance from the drum axis AX1 exceeds Ra (see FIG. 20 ).

According to this embodiment, the cover 105 can be disposed in the space 87, and the drive transmission member 81 protected by the cover 105 can be reliably connected to the cartridge B.

In addition, as described above using FIG. 22 , once the force F2 is applied to the control member 101 , the control member 101 can resist the rebound force of the rebound spring 102 and rotate in the direction of the arrow AB with the axis AA as the center, and move to the inactive position (retraction). Location). At this time, the distance R4 ( FIG. 22 ) between the control part 101 c of the control member 101 and the axis AX1 is larger than the distance R3 (see FIG. 20 ) between the control part 101 c and the axis AX1 in the active position. That is, the relationship becomes "R3＜R4".

By moving the control member 101 in this way, the distance between the control part 101c and the drum axis AX1 changes. By moving the control member 101, the size of the space 87 also changes.

Therefore, it is not always necessary to maintain a sufficient size for the space 87 to accommodate the drive transmission member 81 and the cover portion 105 . That is, it is also conceivable that a sufficient space 87 is not formed before the cartridge B is mounted on the device body A.

In this case, as the cartridge B is installed on the device body A and the control member 101 is moved to a predetermined position by the device body A, the sufficient space 87 for accommodating the cover portion 105 can be filled by the control member 101 to form a similar composition. The predetermined position of the control member 101 is the position shown in FIG. 22, FIG. 24, and FIG. 25. In addition, in this embodiment, when the cartridge B is not installed on the device body A, that is, when the control member 101 is not subjected to external force, the control member 101 will be located at a predetermined position as shown in Figures 22, 24, and 25. position (action position).

In addition, in this embodiment, the cover portion has four openings. However, these openings do not limit the number, shape, or arrangement of the openings. For example, the openings may be connected, the number of openings may be increased, the shape of the openings may be changed, or the arrangement of the openings may be moved.

The functions, materials, shapes and relative arrangements of the constituent parts described in the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless otherwise specified. [Industrial utilization possibility]

According to the present invention, there are provided an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are attached in order to disclose the scope of the present invention.

This case claims priority on the basis of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-180285 filed on September 30, 2019, and the entire contents of that document are hereby incorporated by reference.

1,2: Cassette pushing member 1a,2a: Cassette pushing spring 3: Exposure device 4: Thin plate pallet 5a: Pick-up roller 5b: Feed roller pair 6: Transfer guide device 7: Transfer roller 8:Transportation guide device 9: Fixing device 9a: Heating roller 9b: Pressurized roller 10: Discharge roller pair 11: Discharge tray 13:Open and close the door 13a:Mounting hole 15: 1st side panel 15a: Positioning part 15b: Locate subordinates 15c: anti-rotation part 15d, 15e, 15f: inclined surface 15g: end face 15h: On the guide rail 15i: Under the guide rail 15j: Chimeric part 15k: The pushed part 15n: space 16:Side panel 16a: Positioning Department 16c: anti-rotation part 16h: On the guide rail 16i: Under the guide rail 16k: The pushed part 17: Card box insertion port 20:Imaging unit 26: Drive side imaging side components 29:Image frame 29a: Toner room 30:Imaging roller gear 30a:Gear part 30a1: End face 30a3:Exposed part 30b: Center 32:Developing roller 34:Magnet roller 42:Developer knife 60:Cleaning unit 62:Electrophotographic photoreceptor drum 63b: Coupling convex part 63b1:Front end 66:Electric roller 71: Clean the frame 71d: Positioned part 71g: Anti-rotation part 71o: The pushed part 73: Drum bearing 73a: Control member contact portion 73c: Anti-rotation part 73d: Positioned part 73e: The pushed part 73f: Positioned subordinate 73g: guided part 73h: Fitted part 73i: Concave bottom 73j:Restriction Department 73k:Retreat Department 73l:space 73m:Protrusion 77:Cleaning knife 81: Drive communication component 81a:Gear part 81a1: End face 81b: Coupling recess 81b1: Front end 81c: fixed end 81d:Central Department 81e: Collision surface 81i: Coupling cylinder part 81j: 2nd gear part 85: Cylindrical cam connecting rod 85a:hub 85b:Mounting hole 86:Cylindrical cam 86a,86b,86c: inclined surface 86d: one end 86e: hub 86f: Collision Department 87:Space 93: 2nd side panel 93a: Hole 94:Bearing 94a: V-shaped part 96: Drive idler wheel 97: Inclined member 98:Tilt rebound spring 101:Control components 101a: Support hub 101b: Contacted part 101c: Control Department 102:Rebound spring 105:Cover part 105a: 1st opening 105e: Non-drive side end face A:Device body B:card box T: Toner PA: thin plate P: clock direction C:Installation direction Ax1: axis FA: force FD: bite force W: interval

[Fig. 1] is a cross-sectional view of the device body and the cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 2] is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of Embodiment 1. [Fig.

3 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus in the opening and closing state of the opening and closing door according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 4] It is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission member in the state where the opening and closing door is closed in the first embodiment.

[Fig. 5] It is a perspective view of the vicinity of the cylindrical cam in the state where the opening and closing door of Embodiment 1 is opened.

[Fig. 6] is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus when the cartridge of Embodiment 1 is installed.

[Fig. 7] is a perspective view of the drive side of the cartridge according to Embodiment 1. [Fig.

8 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus showing the cartridge pressing part and the positioning part according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 9] It is a perspective view of the drive transmission member of Example 1. [Fig.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the drive transmission member in the thrust direction when the coupling device of Embodiment 1 is engaged.

[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the drive transmission member when the coupling device of Embodiment 1 is engaged.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the support structure of the bearing of the drive transmission member on the drive side according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the attitude of the drive transmission member of Example 1. [Fig.

[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the drive transmission member when the opening and closing door is opened according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 15] A perspective view showing the control member of the cartridge according to Embodiment 1. [Fig.

[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the tilting operation of the drive transmission member when the cartridge of Embodiment 1 is installed.

[FIG. 17] is a perspective view showing the drive transmission member and the cover part of Example 1. [FIG.

18 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the control member when the cartridge of the first embodiment is installed and removed.

[Fig. 19] is a top view of the cartridge of Embodiment 1. [Fig.

[Fig. 20] is a side view of the cartridge of Embodiment 1. [Fig.

[Fig. 21] is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of Embodiment 1. [Fig.

[Fig. 22] is a top view of the cartridge of Embodiment 1. [Fig.

[Fig. 23] is a perspective view of a cartridge according to a modified example.

[Fig. 24] is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge and the image forming apparatus body of Example 1. [Fig.

[Fig. 25] is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of Example 1. [Fig.

30:Imaging roller gear

73j:Restriction Department

73k:Retreat Department

73m:Protrusion

101:Control components

101c: Control Department

101d: concave part

101d1:face

AA: axis

Ax1: axis

Ax2: axis

L1: distance

L2: distance

R: rotation direction

R1:radius

R2: distance

R3: distance

Ra: distance

α1, α2, α3, α4: angle coordinates

Claims (18)

A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus body. The image forming apparatus body is provided with a tiltable drive transmission member and a cover covering the drive transmission member. It is characterized by: a photoreceptor drum; A roller; a cartridge-side gear configured to mesh with a gear portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive transmission member; and a movable member configured to rebound the drive transmission member so that the drive transmission member is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the drive transmission member. The gear portion of the drive transmission member moves to a position where it can mesh with the cartridge-side gear; and a restriction portion that suppresses the drive transmission when the gear portion of the drive transmission member rotates in a state of meshing with the cartridge-side gear. When the member tilts and the drive transmission member meshes with the cartridge-side gear, the drive transmission member and the cover are accommodated in a space surrounded by the restricting portion, the movable member, and the cartridge-side gear. , if the distance measured from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the restricting portion in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the photoreceptor drum is Ra, then the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum during image formation, The space includes a region where the distance measured from the axis of the photoreceptor drum in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the photoreceptor drum exceeds Ra, downstream of the restricting portion and upstream of the cartridge-side gear, The cover is configured to be accommodated in the area of the space. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: if the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the tooth top of the gear measured in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the photoreceptor drum is R1, When the movable member is located at a predetermined position, the space includes a circle with a radius R1 centered on the axis of the photoreceptor drum. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a drum coupling device configured to be coupled to a coupling portion provided on the drive transmission member and capable of transmitting driving force toward the photoreceptor drum. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the restricting portion is a first protruding portion protruding in the direction of the axis of the photoreceptor drum, and the cartridge is located at a position longer than the first protruding portion. Further downstream and upstream of the gear, a second protrusion is provided. The space includes a region from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the second protrusion, and from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the second protrusion. The distance from the exit is greater than that of Ra. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a first frame that supports the photoreceptor drum; and a second frame that supports the developing roller, and the first frame is provided with the restriction portion. For example, the cartridge described in request item 1 or 2, in which the first The cartridge side gear can transmit driving force toward the developing roller. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cartridge side gear is coaxially arranged with the developing roller. A cartridge, characterized by having: a photoreceptor drum; a developing roller; at least a part of a gear exposed; a movable member movable with respect to the photoreceptor drum; a first frame supporting the photoreceptor drum; and supporting the developing image The second frame of the roller has the movable member and the gear arranged on one side of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum, and the first frame has a structure on one side of the cartridge in the direction of the axis of the photoreceptor drum. In the polar coordinate system of a plane orthogonal to the axis of the protruding portion protruding outward in the axial direction, with the axis of the photoreceptor drum as the origin, a line extending from the origin toward the axis of the gear As a starting line, assuming the angular coordinate is Θ and taking the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum during image formation as the positive direction of the angular coordinate Θ, the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the tooth top of the gear Let R1 be the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the axis of the gear, then (i) when the movable member is at a predetermined position, on the one side of the cartridge, including the The space of a region surrounded by a circle of radius R1 centered on the axis of the photoreceptor drum is formed to be surrounded by the gear, the protrusion, and the movable member, (ii) In the polar coordinate system, the distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the protrusion is the shortest distance Ra within the range where the angle coordinate Θ is "190°<Θ<280°", (iii) ) The aforementioned shortest distance Ra is within the range of "R1<Ra<R2", and (iv) the angular coordinate Θ of the aforementioned polar coordinate system is within the range of "282°<Θ<297°" and is located at the aforementioned portion of the protruding portion. Further downstream and more upstream than the aforementioned gear, (v) in the entire range where the angular coordinate Θ is within the range of "282°<Θ<297°", the aforementioned space includes a distance from the axis of the photoreceptor drum exceeding Area of Ra. The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the portion of the protruding portion is a first protruding portion, and the protruding portion is downstream of the first protruding portion in the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum. A second protrusion is provided upstream of the gear, and the space includes a region between the second protrusion and the axis of the photoreceptor drum, from the axis of the photoreceptor drum to the second protrusion. The distance is greater than Ra. The cartridge according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first frame is held in a range downstream of the portion of the protrusion and upstream of the gear in the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum. There is an area where the protruding portion is not arranged. The cartridge according to claim 8 or 9, wherein when the movable member is located at the predetermined position, the surface of the movable member The surface is closest to the axis of the photoreceptor drum. The cartridge according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the movable member has a recessed portion that is recessed away from the axis of the photoreceptor drum. Such as the cartridge described in claim 8 or 9, wherein when the movable member is at a predetermined position, if the shortest distance from the drum axis to the movable member is R3, then "R1<R3<R2" is satisfied. The cartridge according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the gear can transmit driving force toward the developing roller. The cartridge according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the gear is coaxially arranged with the developing roller. The cartridge according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: a drum coupling device disposed on one side of the cartridge and capable of transmitting driving force to the photoreceptor drum. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein at least part of the gear and at least part of the movable member are arranged outside the drum coupling device in the axial direction. An image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising: an image forming apparatus main body including a tiltable drive transmission member and a cover covering the drive transmission member; and the cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

Images